Active inclusion of young people with disabilities or health problems: National report - France
Eurofound has completed a review of existing incapacity benefits aimed at young people of working age in the EU Member States, including data on the take-up of benefits. What is worrying is a relatively new trend indicating a significant increase in their take up among young people - in the Netherlands, Denmark and Finland. The research shows that the reason for the increase has been predominantly various mental health problems. Research also indicates that debt is a much stronger risk factor for mental disorder than low income. Additionally, current employment patterns with long hours and more intense work are not conducive for people with health problems. There is also an issue of special education as it seems that in many countries people with health problems move directly from special education into incapacity schemes. To identify effective strategies to tackle this trend, there is clear need to understand the reasons.
This is the focus of Eurofound research over the next two years which is paying particular attention to activation measures in health, social and employment services. The research is also looking at the role of incapacity benefits agencies, education systems, employers and trade unions. Phase I of the study was carried out in six Member States: Denmark, Finland, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Phase II research has been completed in five further countries: France, Germany, Ireland, Portugal and Slovakia. The overview report will be published end 2012.
National Report France:
In France, there has been a continuous focus on the inclusion of people with disabilities since 1987, even though the achievements have been modest. The employment difficulties of young people with health problems or disabilities persist despite the existence of the quota scheme that places an obligation on employers to ensure that 6% of their employees are people with disabilities. Two main types of measures can change this situation. One is the development of school integration (mainstreaming), which would open new vocational training opportunities for young people with health problems to improve their access to employment. The other type of measure is the more frequent use of apprenticeships because young people with health problems or disabilities often have literacy problems and find it difficult to follow standard learning programmes. Apprenticeships may be a more suitable option for some people.
